Businesses Near Hundred Oaks Face Perkins Detour

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It’s a nervous day for businesses near the “Hundred Oaks” area of Baton Rouge. Starting today, you’ll have to take a detour if you plan to travel on the Perkins overpass. So what will that mean for the stores located near there? Our Lauren Unger takes a look.

This morning business at Varsity Sports is booming, but it’s not just any ordinary day. Kristen Manske of Varsity Sports says, “Of course we were a little worried at first.” Concerned because one of the main thoroughfares to their store has been shut down for construction, forcing customers to take a detour. So far, they’ve used flyers and voicemail to make sure their customers know though the road’s closed, they’re still open for business. “We just want to make sure people are informed.”

Over at Zeeland Street Market, it’s business as usual as well. They’re hoping the road construction doesn’t detour anyone from sampling their home cooking. Stephanie Phares of Zeeland Street Market says, “We don’t know how it’s going to affect us, we hope it’s not going to affect us, the city has put out a lot of signs saying there’s a way to detour.”

Billy Heroman’s Flowerland is another local fixture with their eyes turned towards the traffic. Todd McBride of Billy Heroman’s Flowerland says, “We do have a bit of a concern for the normal traffic that will stop and see what’s going on and come and shop in our store just because they’re in the area.”

Three shops with their fingers crossed, looking forward to the time when the road reopens. Now the construction is expected to be wrapped up in late summer or early fall and the businesses are hoping in the meantime their local customers will pull them through. Some of the businesses hope to join together to put up a sign at the detour, telling shoppers they’re still open and ready to serve them.